Tool Box

The crop nutrient removal calculator (NRC) estimates crop nutrient removal of N, P, K, and S for a broad, and continually expanding, list of field crops. Results are calculated based on user-selected yield goals, and can be displayed in either metric or US/Imperial units. The calculator is uniquely multilingual—providing full access in six languages including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and Chinese (Mandarin).

This evaluation tool was designed to assist in interpreting results from on-farm trials; specifically, trials involving multiple rates of any added nutrient. Its main goal is to provide the best possible estimate of "optimum rate" or "most economic rate of N" (MERN) from limited data.

Fertilizer Chooser is the final step in preparing a fertilizer program. Fertilizer Chooser assumes that a fertilizer recommendation for balanced plant nutrition is available and helps the user to: Translate a nutrient recommendation into the correct amounts of different fertilizers needed to make up the right amount of nutrients Select a combination of meaningful fertilizer sources Select the least costly combination of fertilizer nutrient sources based on quoted prices for fertilizer products and the cost of application, and Evaluate the cost of different fertilization programs.

Are phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) nutrient additions keeping up with removal by crops? The spreadsheet PKalc v1.12 is an interactive tool that allows you to keep track of historical nutrient additions and removals for a field or field area.

Estimating Yield Loss from Nutrient Rate Reductions. A common question asked in unfavorable economic times is, “How much yield loss can I expect if I cut my nutrient rates?” The resources provided here offer one approach to coming up with such an estimate.

A commonly asked question is "How much fertilizer can I safely apply with the seed?". FertSeedDecisionAid was developed to help answer that question in a reasonably condition-specific manner. This easy to use decision aid is based on regression coefficients (crop stand upon fertilizer rate) that were developed in a laboratory emergence study of common fertilizers and crops and verified with published field studies when they existed. It was developed by South Dakota State University with the support of IPNI.

IPNI's Mission

The mission of IPNI is to develop and promote scientific information about the responsible management of plant nutrition for the benefit of the human family.

IPNI is a global organization with initiatives addressing the world's growing need for food, fuel, fiber and feed. There is widespread concern for issues such as climate change and relationship of crop production to the environment and ecosystems, and IPNI programs are achieving positive results. Best management practices (BMPs) for nutrient stewardship encourage the concept of applying the right product (source), at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.